► NEED HELP? Do you think you might be in an abusive relationship? Click here.
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During October, the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council is displaying posters at Metro Stations in Montgomery County encouraging the public to learn how to help those who may be victims of domestic violence. Please wear PURPLE to show your support on Thursday, October 16th. Post on social media and tag @mocodvcc! What is domestic violence? Click below for more information about how to help victims of domestic violence. |
Learn about the warning signs of domestic violence.
If you suspect that your friend is an abusive relationship:
- Approach them in a confidential manner, and in a time and place away from interruptions.
- Start by gently talking about what you have observed.
- Listen to what they have to say.
- Refer the victim to the Family Justice Center.
- Be supportive and listen.
- Believe them.
- Give them time to open up.
- Do not make victim-blaming statements.
- Ask them how you can help.
- Refrain from telling the victim what to do.
- Help them create an emergency response plan:
- Leave a change of clothing and medications at your house.
- Arrange a signal with neighbors to alert them to call the police (eg: flickering an outside light)
- Share a code word with you to alert you to call the police.
- Keep a journal of dates of the abuse.
- Tell them that they can send photos of their injuries to you for safe keeping and possible future charges.
- Refer the victim to the Family Justice Center.
Learn about the warning signs of domestic violence.
Check in with your neighbor
Check in with your neighbor
- If you feel comfortable, approach them when they are not with their partner.
- Ask how they are doing, and if they need any help.
- Refer the victim to the Family Justice Center.
- If you hear fighting, or notice the abuser getting agitated, create a distraction. Examples include:
- Knock on the door and ask the victim if they want to go for a walk.
- Knock on the door and ask to borrow something.
- The distraction will hopefully stop the abuse and give the victim a break and the abuser time to calm down.
- If you can, check in with the victim first to get their permission to call the police.
- If you feel that a crime is being committed (you hear or see physical violence), call 911.
- Record dates, times, locations, descriptions of what you see and hear.
- If the victim would like to leave the relationship, the documentation will strengthen any criminal or civil proceedings.
Here are some signs your co-worker might be a victim of domestic violence:
- Physical injuries
- Excessive phone calls or texts from their partner
- The partner showing up at work and being distracting
- Absenteeism, lateness, leaving work early, arriving early
- Abrupt changes in personality and isolating themselves from others
If you suspect that your co-worker is an abusive relationship:
- Approach them in a confidential manner, and in a time and place away from interruptions.
- Start by gently talking about what you have observed.
- Listen to what they have to say.
- Refer the victim to the Family Justice Center.
Learn about the warning signs of domestic violence.
You may witness domestic violence in public - in a restaurant, store or on the street. If you intervene, remember that the primary goal is to prevent a situation from escalating. Here are some things you can do to help.
**If there is active physical violence, do not intervene. Call 911.
You may witness domestic violence in public - in a restaurant, store or on the street. If you intervene, remember that the primary goal is to prevent a situation from escalating. Here are some things you can do to help.
**If there is active physical violence, do not intervene. Call 911.
- Distract: Approach the couple and ask the victim for directions, pretend you know the victim, drop something in front of them, ask if they have seen your friend who may have left without you.
- Document: Record the date, time and what you saw or heard. If you record anything, ONLY give it to the victim so they can decide what to do with it. DO NOT post it on social media or text it to friends.
- Delegate: If you don’t feel comfortable intervening, ask someone who works at the location or seek out an authority figure.
- If the opportunity presents itself to separate the abuser and survivor:
- Ask them if they are ok.
- Ask them how you can help.
- Tell them that what happened to them is not right.
- Refer the victim to the Family Justice Center.
What is domestic violence?
- If you are a victim of abuse, there is free help available. You are not alone.
- Call or walk in (no appointment necessary) to the Family Justice Center . The FJC is located at 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 500, Rockville, MD 20852. The phone number is 240-773-0444. Open Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
- Call the Montgomery County Crisis Center: 240-777-4000. Open 24 hours a day.